What Are The Standard Bar Layout Dimensions For DIY?

What Are The Standard Bar DESIGN Dimensons?

Learn the tips and ideas for planning a bar equipment layout and list for do-it-yourself commercial bar designs.

Attempting to layout the equipment for a commercial bar can be a bit intimidating. Every piece of underbar stainless equipment is available in numerous widths and two standard depths, as shown here. What are the standard commercial bar layout dimensions a do-it-yourself bar designer should use?

Before we begin, let’s review a simple sketch. Our sketch “2018 Universal Bar Clearances with ADA”, as shown here (and downloadable below), provides the basic design criteria for any bar layout. The standard dimensions you’ll need to get started are as follows:

Standard depth of 24” for bar equipment.

The bartender’s aisle should be 31” – 37”.

The standard backbar depth should be 24” – 29”.

When building your own commercial bar, the first thing you should do is go to any of the major equipment manufacturer’s websites where you can get a clear overview of the primary equipment. A list of those websites appears in the “Description” section below. For underbar stainless bar equipment, all equipment is 30” high, which is the working surface height for the bartender. Also, there are two standard depths of underbar equipment: 19” and 24”.

Speed rails are an essential element to nearly every bar design. Speed rails are 5” deep, so they’re only added to 19” deep equipment. To simplify this explanation, always use speed rails with 19” drainboards, ice bins and 3-bin sinks. All other bar equipment should be 24” deep so you’ll be able to maintain consistent aisle widths. A word of caution: never use double speed rails – these are back-breakers!

When planning your backbar equipment layout, the majority of back bar coolers is normally offered in 24” and 29” depths. This applies to kegerators as well. The 24” equipment is only available from several manufacturers, such as Glastender, Perlick, Beverage Air and Krowne Metal; note that not every product offered is 24” deep.

If you plan your do-it-yourself commercial bar layouts with an allotment of 24” for underbar equipment, 31” – 37” for aisles and 24” – 29” for backbars, you’ll be well on your way to a successful bar design.

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